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A dementia patient died in hospital after suffering unexplained injuries at a crisis-hit Liverpool care home.

Christopher Hoey, 83, who also had Parkinson’s disease, was rushed to A&E from Croxteth’s Stonedale Lodge Nursing and Residential Home after staff became “concerned about his condition”.

The retired plumber and Cunard seafarer’s health deteriorated quickly and he died at Aintree Hospital nearly six weeks later.

Now police are investigating the mystery injuries suffered by the dad-of-five while he was living at the care home and have interviewed two people under caution.

Mr Hoey’s family believe his injuries were scalding or burn wounds and are demanding to know from BUPA, the healthcare giant that runs Stonedale Lodge, how he came to be so badly hurt.

BUPA said the cause of Mr Hoey’s injuries remains unknown and care home staff are awaiting the results of tests.

His granddaughter Molly Taylor, a law student from Fazakerley, said: “His face, arm and shoulder were badly scalded and he eventually got diagnosed with sepsis and pneumonia.

“They found him unresponsive at the care home and he had to be rushed to hospital.

“This has had a devastating impact on the family because of the circumstances of what has gone on.

“He was so strong-willed. He had dementia and was never going to get better but he didn’t need to go into hospital. That only happened because he was injured at the care home.

“As soon as he was scalded, that took him right out. His health just went downhill from there.”

Miss Taylor added: “We are angry because we have not had answers. Stonedale Lodge had a duty of care and he was badly injured on their watch.”

Stonedale Lodge made headlines in June when BUPA suspended a group of employees, including a unit manager, after a whistleblower raised concerns about alleged poor care practices. There is no suggestion these suspensions related to Mr Hoey’s treatment.

Mr Hoey was rushed to hospital on May 31 and died on July 11. His death certificate says he died from end-stage dementia.

Merseyside Police said in a statement: “Detectives are investigating a report an elderly resident was admitted to hospital in May of this year following the identification of unexplained injuries.

“Two people have been interviewed under caution after voluntarily attending a police station in connection with this matter. At this time no arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

BUPA said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with Mr Hoey’s family at this time and we are sorry that they are unhappy.

“We are confident that we delivered good quality care for Mr Hoey during his time at the home.

“Mr Hoey was having his breakfast in the lounge as usual when our staff became concerned about his condition and called an ambulance.

“The cause of the mark is currently unknown and we are awaiting the results of tests.

“We worked very closely with Mr Hoey’s GP to ensure that he received the right nutritional supplements and he received visits from the community matron who visits the home daily.

“We have double checked all of our heating and hot water systems to ensure that they are at safe temperatures.”